Towncar

Hi Guys,
The '89 Camry is giving me a headache lately. After reading through the boards I got the recommendation to replace the D.shaft O-ring to stop the oil from leaking onto the transaxle.

I also have a problem with oil getting into the distributor as well. I seems like replacing the shaft O-ring might have slowed it down, or it may be my imagination.

Am I missing something? Why's the oil getting into the dist. cap?

__________________
-Steven
1996 Town Car, Cartier

DFBonnett

AFAIK, there is an "O" ring near the end of the distributor shaft. You might want to inspect it to see if it damaged, allowing oil to pass into the distributor housing.
FWIW
YMMV

Towncar

Thanks !!
I've ordered >>> this seal kit <<<, I had no idea such a thing exists

__________________
-Steven
1996 Town Car, Cartier

gator2764

The bad news is that the dist. will leak internally. You will have to buy a new one as the old one will eventually go bad because of the oil damage. Sorry to tell you but I have changed two in the past few months. One on a 95 and one on a 89.

Towncar

Thanks for the update. Bad news?

Have you tried the seal/bearing kit? How can it continue to leak internally with the new shaft seals?

I think I see what you're getting at with "oil damage" taking a toll on the parts it's already infected, like maybe the Coil Pickup, Ignitor, and Ignition Coil. I'll watch for those problems, thanks for the warning

Right now my main concern is stopping the oil leaks, both internally and externally. The external leak is really just a nuisance, makes a mess down below; the internal leak makes the engine run like shit, and I have to clean the cap every few 1000 miles to make it run well again.

Note: I had no idea this kit was available and I'm thankfull to a member of another board for showing it to me, and thanks to you folks for the input and advice

__________________
-Steven
1996 Town Car, Cartier

rimfire,22

Towncar,

Be prepared for an expensive repair! My delaership always tells me the entire distributor needs to be replaces cuz I can't just get the "O" ring separately. After that the entire engine needs to be retimed. Expect to spend at least 800 bucks including labor. If your dealership tells you different then they need to talk to Miller in Culver City. Either that or someones lieing to get more revenue for the boss!

rimfire,22

Towncar

1) I don't go anywhere near dealer shops, the lie, steal, and do shitty work. (dealer comments welcome)
2) I posted the link to the seal kit in my previous reply.
3) There's no such thing as "whole engine timing", someones handing you some BS.
4) The distributor is keyed, it only goes in one way, Ignition timing my 7 year old daughter can do.
5) The '89 Camry isn't worth $800

EDIT:
PS, I see you're in Los Angeles (So.Cal) Do you also have an '89 Camry with this problem, and some mechanical skills? I can do a writeup on this one for you and you can save yourself $780 bucks next time

PPS, I had a rimfire22 on my wall during the Northridge Quake, the damn thing jumped off the wall and slugged me square in the head, ouch.

__________________
-Steven
1996 Town Car, Cartier

gator2764

You can buy just the O-ring but somehow the dist. will leak internally even with a new ring. A new dist. will set you back about $150-180. It just depends on if it is a California or .....damn, can't think of the other emission name they call it, oh, Federal dist. Go to any auto parts store online and get the best price. Yes, the dist can only go in one way, you will just have to tweak the timing a little. One tip for you Towncar, before you try and slip the new dist. in make sure you have some vasoline handy. Put plenty on the base of the dist before you try and slide it in. It will seem like it doesn't want to go in but you will just have to take your time and work it in slowly. I think the reason for this is when you get a reman. dist. the shaft is not a nice clean machined finish like the original. It looks like it was bead blasted after it was rebuilt. When you take the old one out and compare them side by side you will see what I am talking about. Just make sure they order tyou the right one when you do go to the store. The federal one has the coil inside. Good luck and remember, patience when you go to put the new one in. It has to go in straight, trust me!!!

Towncar

I'm familiar with that process 'cept the ladies prefer flavored gel over p.Gel.



Well, I'll definately do my best!! It's not as straight as it used to be but reading paragraph one several times will help.


Thanks very much.

__________________
-Steven
1996 Town Car, Cartier

gator2764

As I was writing that reply I knew that someone would hit on it big time!! Didn't take long for you to bite. Funny. Good luck with the car.

rimfire,22

Towncar,

Just what I suspected for years but during those times the car belonged to my mom. We couldn't get past a simple oil change without them telling my mom and I it had an oil leak everytime. Now they want me to swap out the timing belt and water pump and seals as those parts only has 21,000 miles on it! When I want to contest it they don't want to talk to me. Funny huh? They're customer/consumer service department won't call me back AFTER they called me asking if I had any problems with my car. I recently was sent an advertisement saying they're under NEW management again and things has changed.Do I go back and give them another chance? Hard sell in my opinion. I'm NOW thinking about driving to another place to get my services done. Perhaps a call to "AAA" might set things straight. Enough said.

rimfire,22


PS: I do live in Los Angeles and have been since I was born. Live close to Culver City but considering NOT to take my 89' Camary for service unless it's absolutely necessary. Don't like their attitude cuz I think they've been robbing my mom for years. Toyota should do something about this.